Sunday, September 1, 2013

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Now we know why the University of Maine calls the play “Bingo.”

Norfolk State’s Spartans found out, too, just in time to see the back of Zedric Joseph’s jersey as the senior dashed 85 yards for the decisive touchdown in the Black Bears’ 23-6 victory Saturday night in the season opener for both schools at Dick Price Stadium.

As expected, the defense led the way for the Black Bears, who had their way with two first-time NSU quarterbacks and bottled up the Spartans attack most of the night. But with a sputtering Maine offense squandering several scoring opportunities, the Black Bears’ lead was just 13-6 midway through the third quarter when the offense lined up at its own 15-yard line for a second-down call.

That’s when Joseph faked receiving a handoff and circled out of the backfield.

The Spartans sold out on the run action, and when Joseph collected Marcus Wasilewski’s pass, there wasn’t an NSU defender within 10 yards of him. It stayed that way as Joseph streaked into the end zone for his first career touchdown.